The Chinese leaders had reportedly included Caesar salad on the menu for a dinner with Trump, Tillerson and other top U.S. officials in November. The event was held in China's Great Hall of the People during Trump's tour of Asia.

Trump grew worried that the Chinese officials might be offended if the U.S. leaders didn't eat the salad, the Journal reported.

"Rex, eat the salad," Trump told his top diplomat, according to the newspaper.

Tillerson reportedly laughed off the president's comment.

The Journal cited the incident as an example of the sometimes tense relationship between Trump and Tillerson.

Trump ousted Tillerson as secretary of State in a tweet Tuesday morning, replacing him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

Under Secretary of State Steve Goldstein said that Tillerson did not talk to Trump ahead of his dismissal and that Tillerson was "unaware" of why he was fired, contradicting the White House's account of the firing.